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Barrett seems to have edge as Jays backup catcher

The Blue Jays have yet to identify their backup catcher from among Michael Barrett, Raul Chavez and Curtis Thigpen.

But when they do, it won't necessarily be the guy with the best bat.

And that's the great equalizer for veteran major-leaguer Barrett, a non-roster invitee, like his competition. He brings other assets.

"We're going to have to make a decision pretty soon," Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi said. "(Manager Cito Gaston has to be) comfortable with which guy he wants."

Of the three remaining catchers in the running to back 10-year veteran Rod Barajas, Barrett is the front-runner. Thigpen was removed from the roster before camp and not claimed. If he stays with the organization, he likely would be in Las Vegas as a backup and utility man behind starter J.P. Arencibia.

The 36-year-old Chavez is the best pure defensive option. Barrett believes his strengths begin with his handling of a young pitching staff.

"My strength has always been to work with the young pitchers," Barrett said. "The catcher's earned-run-average can tell certain things, but because of all the young pitchers I've had it doesn't tell you everything. I've had the opportunity to bring them along. The ERA definitely stands out in their success later on."

It's the same argument Gregg Zaun liked to use. The most games Barajas has caught at the major-league level is 120 games, so there will be ample opportunity for the second catcher to make an impact.

But the impact most fans remember Barrett for is the highly visible dugout confrontation with Cubs ace Carlos Zambrano in the first half of Chicago's disastrous 2007 season, Lou Piniella's first with the club.

That did not end well for Barrett, who was traded to the Padres on June 20 that year. The incident tarnished his reputation.

"The situations in Chicago I felt were blown out of proportion," Barrett said. "Being on TV was the biggest thing. It was a boiling point for our team at that particular moment. It's really the only moment I've had with a teammate. If you look at the personalities, the pressure and the situations, all that was at stake at that point. If you studied that, you'd have a little bit more of an understanding. Unfortunately, I was in the middle of it ... catchers usually are."

If the choice was between trading Zambrano or Barrett, the choice was easy. Barrett landed on his feet in San Diego with a good, young pitching staff. But last year, after returning from a sprained right elbow in May, he played 30 games before fouling a ball off his face in Colorado. He underwent major reconstructive surgery. Faced with free agency this past off-season, the question became whether his reputation as a hothead would hurt his chances of finding work.

"I think everyone understands that I play the game on the edge," Barrett admitted. "I'm a bit emotional at times, but some ball clubs like that. And number two, a lot of teams are looking for that leadership quality behind the plate, the guy that's going to take charge and stand up for what's best for the team."

Barrett has the most experience of the three men as a starting catcher and another thing he has going for him is that he played nine seasons in Montreal and is familiar with baseball in Canada.

"I loved the organization, I loved Montreal, I didn't want to be traded," Barrett said. "Some people said, `Well, how could you play in Montreal?' I would tell them, `I love it here.' I love the organization, there were phenomenal people. To be traded was tough, but I believe that was the moment I matured the most in the game."

Ricciardi said the decision won't come down to statistics, but will be "everything included."

If Barrett can stay healthy, it should be his everything that is included.

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